Paris: Spikes' tackles come with a cost

The automobile show opened Thursday and for possibly the last time on Sunday, the Chargers will fire-up their old jalopy.

Say, aren't you Takeo Spikes?

We realize the Chargers' veteran linebacker is long in the tooth, but two shy of 100?

Just kidding, Takeo, and he's smiling, right?

Spikes nears a pair of milestones this weekend against the visiting Raiders in the Chargers' season finale:

“I’ve been playing for a long time and at the end of the year you always go back and say ‘if,''' Spikes said. “And I tell guys that I don’t like to be part of an ‘if’ conversation because I’ve never heard, or I’ve never had a bad ‘if’ conversation.

“Case in point is ‘if’ we had won just two more games, or ‘if’ this guy would have made that play. Personally, I don’t care to hear about that because in the beginning we all knew what we signed up for.''

It's a contract signed in ink, blood, sweat, and if you're a Chargers' fan, tears.

The Chargers can't match Spikes' postseason-free streak. But it has reached three years, which likely has coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith grabbing the exit door.

And Spikes? He knows next year isn't guaranteed, especially with the talent-depleted Chargers nearing an upheaval by going over the roster cliff.

Spikes stressed the Chargers' sour campaign hasn't prevented him from contemplating a sweet 16th season. But the facts are when the new brass rolls in, Spikes could be rolled out.

“It really doesn’t touch me until I walk into the locker room on Sunday,'' Spikes, 36, said of the season's finality. “That’s when it hits home with me. I know that it’s coming, but I choose not to address it.

“I feel a bunch of emotions. It’s reality. This will be the last time that this team will take the field together and you don’t learn to appreciate that until you actually go through something where maybe you have to leave that team or one of your best friends has to leave that team.''

Spikes has left his mark. Countless Chargers cite his leadership as among the reasons the finger-pointing didn't start when the winning became sporadic.

Spikes' impact was felt not only by 52 teammates but with 20,000 North County children.

In partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito, Spikes spearheaded a drive that with each tackle came coin.

Directing $20,000 to youngsters was Spikes' goal. When it became apparent that figure wouldn't be reached, Spikes scribbled a check for more than $6,000.

“He didn't have to do this,'' said Keith Padgett, the San Dieguito club's president. “Often athletes donate by putting their name to things. That is their contribution and that is fine.

“But he made a significant contribution to this because he cares for kids.''

That's apparent, almost as much as Spikes' imposing neck.

“As a youngster and as a kid, all you ever want is the best opportunity just to do something positive,'' Spikes said. “For unfortunate reasons, a lot of kids don’t get that. So for me being in the position that I’m in, that’s the reason I was attracted to this.